SNP MP David Linden has welcomed a UK government climb-down over “cruel” benefit restrictions placed on families who care for children with life-shortening conditions.

Prior to today’s announcement from the Tory minister responsible, under-threes who had serious conditions were unable to access the full Disability Living Allowance (DLA) payment, leaving families that fall in this category missing out on the crucial £58-a-week mobility component of the DLA.

David Linden, who has raised the issue in Westminster many times, added that the ‘baby benefit bar’ marked another “stain on the UK government’s record on protecting those in most need in society.”

Earlier this month, the MP for Glasgow East raised over £1,000 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, (CHAS), who care for children throughout Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families.

David Linden MP commented: “I welcome the UK government’s long overdue climb-down today over the cruel baby benefit bar that impacts families across the UK.

‘’These are families who are already going through so much without the added insensitivities and restrictions placed upon them from the Department for Work and Pensions.

“This is a really sensitive issue that I have raised repeatedly with the DWP, and as welcome as today’s announcement is , it has been another stain on the UK government’s record on protecting those in most need.

“I am going [to] write to the DWP in order to get a clearer outline of details and timescale to ensure that this cruel anomaly is finally put right.”